Harrow

Harrow's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in health, ethnicity and housing tenure.

The population reached nearly 240,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Harrow increased by 16%, from almost 207,000 to 239,000.

The addition of just over 32,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Harrow was home to, on average, 34 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was lower than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Changing household dynamics

This area saw England's third-largest fall in the proportion of households with an unmarried couple.

In 2011, just under 1 in 20 (4.7%) households in Harrow had an unmarried couple, compared with 5.4% in 2001. The percentage with just a single person decreased from 26% to 23%.

The largest decrease occurred in Slough (from 11% to 7.5%) followed by Ealing (from 7.9% to 6.9%).

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple was lower than across London

Percentage of households that that had an unmarried couple across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Harrow

The number of people in Harrow that described themselves as having no religion increased from just under 19,000 in 2001 to about 23,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 9.0% to 9.6% of the local population.

The percentage increased by less than the average across London (from 16% to 21%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Harrow that described themselves as Christian decreased from just under 98,000 in 2001 to about 89,000 in 2011 (from 47% to 37%). The number of people who described themselves as Hindu increased from about 41,000 to just over 60,000 (from 20% to 25%).

Just under 30,000 people (7.2%) said they were Muslim, up from about 15,000 in 2001 (13%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Harrow remained close to 9.6%

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Harrow by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of people in ’good’ or ’very good’ health increased in Harrow, but at a slower rate than all other London boroughs, except Kensington and Chelsea.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

Every local authority area across London saw a rise in the proportion of residents that perceived their health as good or very good, as the regional average grew from 71% to 84%.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (84%) in Harrow said their health was good or very good, compared with 72% in 2001. The percentage that perceived their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.1% to 4.6%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’good’ or ’very good’ health was lower than across London

Percentage of usual residents that that said their health was good or very good across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Harrow

The number of people in Harrow from the White ethnic groups increased from about 120,000 in 2001 to about 100,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 59% to 42% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across London (from 71% to 60%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Harrow from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just under 64,000 in 2001 to just over 100,000 in 2011 (from 31% to 43%). The number of residents from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from about 13,000 to just under 20,000 (from 6.1% to 8.2%).

Just under 9,500 people (2.8%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from about 5,800 in 2001 (4.0%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Harrow decreased by 17 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Harrow by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Harrow that rented privately increased from 12% to 22% between the last two censuses.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 11%, while the percentage of Harrow households that owner their home decreased from 75% to 65%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 15% in 2001 to 25% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Harrow increased by 10 percentage points

Percentage of households in Harrow, London and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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